Stabroek News
May 15, 2001

Guyanese-born businessman Brindley B. Pieters, who was recently chosen as Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Florida was last week honoured by US President George W. Bush during a ceremony to mark National Small Business Person of the Year 2001.

Pieters was among four businessmen who were described as embodying the entrepreneurial enterprise and spirit essential to the growth of the American economy, and short-listed for the national award. Pieters hails from Ross, West Coast Berbice.

A contractor from Huntsville, Alabama, Thornton Stanley, copped the coveted national title.

At a White House ceremony held last week Tuesday, President Bush

honoured all four business persons, selected from a group of 54 throughout the country. As part of a 38-year tradition, the National Small Business Awards are the highlight of SBA's National Small business Week celebration.

Other honorees included Cindy M. McEntee, president and owner, Mofs Enterprises, Inc, a food manufacturer and restaurant chain located in Newport, Oregon; and Frank Sarris, President, Sarris Candies, Inc, a candy manufacturer in Canonsburg, PA.

Trade associations, chambers of commerce and business organizations frequently sponsor candidates for the event. Sponsors submit a nomination package to the nearest SBA district office for review and selection by each district's Small Business Advisory Council. Selection criteria for Small Business Persons of the Year include record of stability, growth in employment and sales, financial condition, innovation, response to adversity, and community service.

Involvement with SBA is not a selection criteria, though more than half the winners have received financial or management assistance from the SBA at some point.

Pieters is president and owner of an engineering firm established ten years ago. His company has grown from a staff of three, completing a handful of projects to a staff of 34 professionals, successfully completing more than 150 projects with gross revenues topping $3.25 million. The company offers professional engineering services to an impressive list of repeat clients from both government and industry.

Nominated by the University of Central Florida's Small Business Development Center, Pieters has been described by Eunice Choi, as demonstrating growth and vision.

She said, he has successfully developed a company that has continuously proven an ability to deliver the highest caliber of professional services with emphasis on quality, productivity and innovation.

As a result, BPA is now one of Central Florida's largest minority-owned engineering consulting firms and the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce has recognized BPA as one of the Top 25 Small Businesses in the area.

Pieters graduated from Howard University in 1972 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. After graduation, he was employed by DeLeuw Cather & Company, Inc, a major engineering firm, in Washington DC, where he worked on major projects such as the Washington Metro Rapid Transit System, the Baltimore Light Rail Transit System and the US Department of Transportation's Northeast Corridor Improvement Project, which spanned from the district of Columbia to Boston, Massachusetts. He also designed various roadway projects in Atlanta and Connecticut.

Pieters was later recruited by Daniel Mann Johnson & Mendenhall as a project manager for the Houston Rapid Transit System. However, the project was cancelled by the voters and Pieters was offered a unique opportunity to work for Delon Hampton & Associates, Inc (DHA).

He was specifically recruited by the firm's President, Delon Hampton, who was Pieters' adviser at Howard University. While at DHA, Pieters was promoted to vice-president of the Southeast region and charged with establishing an office in Florida.

Through his commitment and leadership, Pieters established a

significant presence and clientele for DHA in Central Florida. He later accepted the position of Assistant County Engineer at Seminole County, Florida. In 1991, after four years with the county, Pieters realized his entrepreneurial dream and established Brindley Pieters & Associates,

Inc (BPA).

As President of BPA, Brindley Pieters has been the driving force in developing a successful firm that grew from a staff of three employees in 1991 to 34 in 2001. The employees of BPA have successfully completed projects for the city, county and state agencies.

Some of Pieters' professional/civic affiliations include: American

Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association, National Society of Professional Engineers, Florida Engineering Society, Seminole County Citizen Advisory Council, Board Member, SunTrust (Seminole County Group), 100 Black Men of America, Inc, Junior Achievement of America.

He is married to Patricia. They have four children, Nigel, Colleen, Carren and Brian. He enjoys golf, travel and chess.